Chapter Ten

Layla let out a relieved sigh as she let herself sink into the slightly warmed water. There was an outdoor pool on one of the lower levels, protected from prying eyes with bamboo-like plants all around. The tiles around it were simple, marble-like with patterns to make it look more elegant. There were five small fountains in the shape of snail houses along the side, providing a soothing melody of water hitting water. At this time of night there were a couple of warm lights just under the water surface, almost making it seem a little romantic. She'd been told that, as one of the personal servers to one of the Simias, she was allowed to use this pool, as long as it was after 9pm and her Royal had explicitly told her she was no longer needed for that day. Kaitlyn had given her leave ten minutes ago, a lot earlier than she knew Nieve would get to finish. And, while she felt bad for her friend, she was intent on making the most of her free time.

The blonde started by swimming a few laps, before deciding it would be nicer to float on her back. She could feel herself relax more than she could ever remember feeling before. It was nice. This must be how they feel all the time, Layla thought to herself, her thoughts turning to her employers and, more specifically, Kaitlyn and Ryan.

"The water's nice tonight," a voice made her jump, causing her to go under slightly. "Sorry, are you okay?" Ryan asked as he reached out to help her upright. He'd watched her float for a few minutes, as a battle of wills raged within him. Twice his head had stopped his feet from heading towards the pool, but eventually his intellect had lost out to the pull she had on his heart.

"Ryan," she spluttered as she righted herself, her brown eyes trying to focus on anything but his body with her in the water. "Sorry, Lord…" Layla started to correct herself.

"No, no, Lord Simia is my father," he informed her, almost wagging his finger at her as he fought back a smile. If he was going to misbehave, he had to make her think it wasn't because she was an exception. Ryan had to flirt like she was any other girl.

"So, what do I call you, sir?" she asked, finally meeting his gaze and feeling her cheeks flush as if on fire. She wondered what had changed this time, she'd been quite upset the day before when it felt like he'd dismissed her the entire time he'd been in Kaitlyn's room. But just looking at his smile made her forget she'd ever felt ignored.

"My Lord has a certain ring to it," he smiled, with a cheeky wink when she shook her head slightly. "Just Ryan then," he said with a shrug, sinking in a little further so that the water came up over his shoulders.

"In public?" she asked almost horrified, knowing that if she addressed the Simia heir by his first name in front of anyone else, she'd be punished.

"We're not in public now," Ryan smiled, making her heart flutter when he gently took hold of her hand to pull her in closer. She knew she should keep her distance; he was the son of her employer and due to get engaged officially within a few days. But it was hard to when she didn't want to, and she could feel herself being drawn to him, and not just literally by his hand. She knew she shouldn't want to kiss him; she knew he shouldn't want to kiss her, like he was hinting at as he brought her in closer to him. But at the same time, as he was her employer and Lord, surely, she shouldn't disobey him either? So, if this was what he wanted, who was she to say no? Even if there was a possibility he'd done the same thing with some of the other servers, even as she hoped it was only with her. Layla swallowed hard as he leaned in closer, his lips so close to hers now. She couldn't help thinking it was a good thing that they were already in water, because she felt like her body was on fire, even though the only place he was touching her was her hand. She dared to look up at his blue eyes, feeling rooted in place as he smiled. Ryan reached out with his free hand to go through her hair as he was about to bridge the remaining distance to kiss her.

"Hm-mmm," Riven's cough echoed around the swimming pool, just as his lips brushed hers. The Simia heir let himself fall back in the water and away from her, knowing his friend and bodyguard wouldn't have stopped them just because it was a bad idea, but because someone who shouldn't find them together was almost here.

"You'd better head out that way," he said regretfully, pointing Layla in the right direction. She dipped herself under the water before moving towards the way he'd indicated, to try and put out the flames ravaging her body on the inside. She'd never felt more confused or conflicted about someone in her life, and she couldn't help looking back at him as she reached the edge of the pool. He gave her a confident shrug, and it did make her feel like there was a very good chance he was just trying his luck with her, like so many others before her. Layla scowled a little and lifted herself out of the pool, ignoring the feel of his gaze on her body. She grabbed a towel from the cupboard on her way, wrapping it around her body as she felt him look away. She'd just closed the door behind her when she heard a voice talking to Ryan, knowing she'd cut it way too fine. A hand closed around her wrist, making her jump.

"I'll take you back to your room," was all Riven said, his voice devoid of any judgment. He wasn't blaming her for what had almost just happened; he knew his friend could be pretty convincing.

"You won't tell…" she started to ask.

"Of course not," the bodyguard said simply. It would not only get her in trouble, it would get his friend in trouble and most likely himself as well. He could imagine only too easily Lady Simia scolding him for leaving her son alone for long enough to do something so incredibly stupid and potentially dangerous, especially with their future in-laws already here.

"Father, I'm surprised to see you up still," Ryan said as he started swimming lanes. What actually surprised him was that it was his father coming to talk to him. Though he supposed, if it had been his mother, she would've summoned him to her room rather than come find him.

"I thought it would be nice to have a man-to-man chat, you know like father to son," Lord Simia said as he sat down by the edge of the pool, the bench just low enough that he could dip his feet into the water.

"And mother didn't put you up to this?" his son asked, a little skeptical.

"Certainly not. No son, this is a chat that she best not know of," the slightly greying man said now, making his heir stop swimming to glance at him.

"Okay, I'm listening," Ryan indicated now, even if he was sure he wouldn't like his father's words any more than he usually liked his mother's.

"I wanted to make sure there weren't going to be any surprises at the engagement in a few days."

"I'm not sure I understand father," he said as he went back to swimming, bemused to actually hear the older man chuckle.

"I think you might Ryan. Did you know that I was in your position about 27 years ago now?" Lord Simia asked, seeing his son shake his head. "I was my father's only son, but there were a few distant cousins who were vying to step in at any given opportunity. It was imperative for the future of our family and our kingdom that I marry young and marry well. My parents made all the necessary deals. Your mother was my Evangeline but, when we first met, I only had eyes for Elizabeth. She was so beautiful, and a prime of course, even if her family wasn't particularly wealthy," at which point his son thought 'not quite in the same position then, pops.' "She lived in Serenissima, though she moved to one of the other cities shortly after the engagement. I missed her fiercely, to start with. So your mother and I didn't get off to the greatest start, if you can believe it," he continued with a small chuckle, seeing his heir nod with an eye roll.

"That's an understatement," Ryan couldn't help commenting; his parents were very dissimilar, and he often wondered if their positions were the only thing keeping them together.

"But don't be mistaken Ryan, we did learn to love each other, otherwise we would never have had Kaitlyn a few years after you." His son understood immediately what he meant; having had a son straight away, there had been no political need to have another child, at the risk of having another boy who might challenge his older brother for the family title and lands. His sister had been born from love.

"That's good. I can't imagine not having Kaitlyn as a sister," Ryan said now. Sure, she could be annoying, especially when she got whatever she wanted. But he wouldn't have her any other way.

"She's our sweet miracle," his father said proudly. "We almost lost her during complications at birth. I've never been so scared of anything." Lord Simia cleared his throat when he felt tears forming and his heir stopped short in the water. Everything made so much more sense now, why Kaitlyn always got her way with their father; she'd almost not survived coming into this world.

"Father…"

"My point, son…" the greying Lord stopped him, "is that just because it's your duty, does not mean it can't also be the best thing to happen to you." Ryan didn't know how to respond to his father's advice, as the older man stood up. "Good night, Ryan. I know you'll do the right thing," he nodded and left the swimming pool, leaving his son with a ton of expectations on his shoulders.

Ryan had been very careful not to notice Layla the last day or so, but when he'd walked in to her swimming, his self-control had slipped. He should have turned around and walked out, instead of joining her. And he definitely shouldn't have almost kissed her. He had to control himself better.

Nieve cursed Evangeline in her mind as she trudged through the castle. It was well past what should have been the end of her day, but the redhead had had her change into the dresses she was going to be wearing for the engagement, timing the brunette to make sure she would be fast enough. It had taken Nieve hours until she'd mastered the art of helping her Lady in and out of dresses in a way that was acceptable to the redhead, and all that time she'd had to endure snide comments from Evangeline as she talked down to her; about the fact that she was a common, had no power and, as the fiancée to the heir assumed wrongly, probably couldn't even read. When the redhead finally dismissed her, she was fuming so badly it wouldn't have surprised her if steam was coming out of her ears.

She'd planned to go to the pool with Layla, but it was far too late. Layla was probably already curled up under the covers. Instead of going to the bedroom she shared with her friend, Nieve decided to go up to the roof. She'd heard from Jacqueline that no one ever went up there because Riven sometimes hung out there when he wanted to be alone with his own thoughts for a change. Nieve, however, didn't care. Also, Riven couldn't hear her thoughts. And anyway, what were the odds he'd be up there at this time of the night? She tried not to stomp as she climbed the winding stairs, feeling the air grow colder with every step she took, until she reached a half-open door.

"Oh, you're here," she sighed, finding the bodyguard on a bench as soon as she'd pushed the door open and stepped outside. He turned to her with a smile on his face. "What are you doing here?" she grumbled, hoping her tone would wipe the smile off his face. He merely shrugged and nodded to the view. "Oh," she mumbled. Riven patted the bench next to him, smiling to himself when she rolled her eyes but sat down next to him anyway.

"So… you've never been with anyone, huh?" he started when she turned to the sky to enjoy the starlight. He couldn't understand it; surely, she'd had plenty of men fall for her? He'd heard some of the other guards checking her out in their thoughts as she passed, and even caught himself doing it sometimes.

"I don't want to talk about it," she told him sternly, thoroughly regretting ever saying it to him. Her mind instantly went to the only man she'd ever been in love with. He'd betrayed her in the moment she'd needed him most, the moment he'd realised she was of no use to him. She crossed her arms to fight a shiver when the memory of his strong hands on her rushed back, his face vicious as he told her she was only good for one thing before he'd tried to force himself on her. She'd kneed him in the groin before she ran away, away from her home and everything she knew. The bruises on her arms hadn't disappeared until weeks later.

Riven really hated how he couldn't read her mind, especially now she seemed to be thinking about something that clearly upset her. He cupped her face, trying to pull her attention away from whatever memory was going through her head. "Tell me no one tried to hurt you," he breathed as he guessed rightly what direction her thoughts had gone in, her eyes locking with his. His voice reminded her where she was and, more importantly, with whom. She pushed his hands away from her and moved away a little with an angry huff.

"What does it matter? As if you'd hunt him down for me," she grumbled, turning her attention back to the stars.

"You know I would," he said, his voice so sincere she turned back to him. "I would hunt him down and hurt him until you wanted me to stop," he added, and it sounded like a promise.

Nieve wanted to roll her eyes or make a mean comment, but nothing mean would come to her. "It doesn't matter. I'm never going to see him again, anyway," she mumbled. Riven clenched his jaws, not entirely happy with her reply, but he nodded anyway. If he ever found out who had hurt her, he'd kill him.